Senate approves tougher penalties for violations of water accounting and use regulations

The Senate has approved tougher penalties for violations of water accounting and usage rules.

The Senate of Uzbekistan has supported a law that strengthens liability for violations of the rules of state water accounting and the use of water management facilities. The document also provides for the automated registration of water use agreements in electronic form through a special information system.

Amendments are being made to the Code of Administrative Liability and the Water Code. In particular, liability is introduced for persons responsible for maintaining state water accounting, operating water management facilities and structures, as well as complying with the procedure for wastewater discharge.

The rules for using water management facilities, structures, and sewerage networks are separately clarified. It is proposed to register water use agreements automatically in electronic form through a special information system.

In addition, the law clarifies the procedure for organizing the activities of water management facilities and services on the basis of outsourcing and public-private partnership. The selection of participants for such projects will be carried out through tenders and competitions.

According to the senators, the changes should contribute to more efficient use of water resources, prevention of violations, and strengthening of their protection.

Earlier, the construction project of the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan tourist complex on the shores of the Charvak reservoir passed the second stage of the environmental impact assessment. Based on its results, a positive conclusion of the state ecological expertise was obtained.